The Lake Garda is experiencing a drastic reduction in whitefish and sardines, a phenomenon that concerns fishermen and biologists. Ivano Confortini, a regional ichthyologist, explained that climate change is a key factor: the increase in temperatures has shifted the fish’s reproductive periods, causing a decrease in reproductive yield. For example, the whitefish now spawns in mid-January instead of Christmas, with negative consequences for fertilization.
Climate alterations not only affect reproduction but also the feeding habits of fish. Trout, for instance, seeks deeper waters to maintain the ideal temperature but finds less food. Confortini emphasizes the urgency of a thorough study on the lake’s biomass to better understand the productive and adaptive capacities of fish species. However, he advises caution before drawing definitive conclusions about the lake’s condition.
Italian Version
